Hammer-release for double-chamber-type bombs



S. THOMSON, DEQQ. 8. BOARDMAN, ADMINISTRATOR. HAMMER RELEASE FOR DOUBLECHAMBER TYPE BOMB.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- Zh 1918.

Patented Dec. 28,1920.

UNITED SITE P STUART THOMSON, OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY; HENRY B.BOARDMAN ADMINIS- TRATOR OF SAID STUART THOMSON, DECEASED.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 28, 1920.

Application filed September 21, 1918. Serial No. 255,163.

(FILED UNDER THE ACT OF MARCH 3, 1883, 22 STAT. L, 625.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, STUART THoMsoN,lieutenant, Ordnance, R. 0., a citizen of the United States, stationedat Washington,

D. 0., have invented Improvements in Hammer Releases for Double Chamber-Type Bombs, of which the following is a specification.

The invention described herein may be used by the Government, or any ofits officers or employees in prosecution of work for the Government, orby any other person in the United States, without payment of any ro altythereon.

his invention relates to devices for releasing the hammer safety of dropbombs, more particularly of bombs dropped from aeroplanes and dirigiblesand has for one of its objects to provide a simply constructedattachment whereby the hammer element is held in suspension against theresistance of a spring or other suitable operating device and releasableby the movement of the bomb when detached from the support, for instancethe aeroplane frame, to effect the release of the hammer simultaneouslywith the release of the bomb.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this characterincluding a hammer or plunger element, means for looking said element insuspend-ed position, and means for releasing the locking means by thegravity of the bomb.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of a portion of the nose partof a conventional bomb with the improvement applied and showing thesafety device in locked position.

Fig. 2 a sectional detail illustrating the position of the parts whenthe locking portions of the device are released.

Fig. 3 a detached perspective view of one of the locking members.

Fig. 4 a detail view illustrating the firing hammer partially released.

Fig. 5 a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 a section on, the line 66 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 a detached elevation of the stop sleeve, and V Fig. 8 a detachedperspective view of tho releasing pin.

The improved apparatus is designed to effect the release of the hammerelement of bombs, more particularly bombs dropped from aeroplanes andmay be adapted without material structural change to bombs of variousforms, and to bombs and like devlces containing various combinations ofeX- plosives, gas or fire producing compounds, and the like, and it isnot desired to limit the invention to any specific'construction of bombor like structure.

For the purpose of illustration the improved apparatus is shownassociated with the nose portion of a conventional bomb, and includesahammer device or plunger adapted when released to place the bomb incondition for explosion. The hammer device is normally locked bysuitable devices an ranged to be automatically released when the bomb isdropped from the machine.

The projectile or bomb 10 has a centrally disposed casing 9 containingthe plunger or ham mer 12 and its actuating spring 14:, and said plungeris mounted to operate in the guide-way 11 of the nose piece 15. A collar13 is fixed'on the plunger rod 12to seat the inner end of the spring 14and the outer end of said plunger is slotted as at 16, to receive a baseblock 011 stop member 18, the latter extending transversely of theguide-way 11 and seating within the slot 17. The member 18 is secured tothe nose portion 15 of the bomb by rivets or other fastening devices 19.

The hammer safety and releasing device consists of a pin or bolt 20movably mounted in the apertured block 21 that is secured to the slottedportion of the plunger 12. (See Figs. 1 and 5). Said bolt passes throughthe slot 16 of the plunger and engages the toggle blocks 26 and 27 andnormally holds the latter in alinement (as in Fig. 1) through the pin 25and collar 22 under the action of the spring 23 on the bolt 20, andthereby keeps said plunger in its retracted or safe position.

The pair of toggle blocks 26 and 27 have rounded ends to providesuitable fulcrum bearings 28, 29, 30 and 31 engaging complementaryelements on the plunger, bolt and block 18 respectively whereby thelooking bolt may be readily projected to release the plunger when thesecuring pin 25 is withdrawn. In this operation the parts assume, at onestage of their function, the positions shown in Fig. 2, and when finallyreleased the securing device is of course completely discarded.

Any suitable means may be employed for supporting the bomb. It the bombis held horizontally, the aperture for the pin 25 will be arrangedtransversely of the hammer or plunger 12, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5,but if the bomb be supported ver tically, it may be necessary to formthe pin aperture in parallel relation to the longitm dinalaxis oi thehammer, for obvious reasons. The pin 25 will be provided with suitableholding means, 0. a wire or lanyard adapted to be attached to theaeroplane or like structure-to insure its withdrawal when the bomb isdropped.

It will therefore be seen that when the aviator releases the bomb andthe pin 25 is withdrawn the bolt 2-0 will be projected through theaction of the sprin 23, and the plunger or hammer thereby renderedoperative to effect the explosion of the bomb when the latter strikesany obstacle or its objective.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. The combination with a drop bomb having a hammer, of a pair of stopblocks normally interposed in the path of movement of the hammer, and aspring tensioned bolt mounted on the hammer between said stop blocks tohold the hammer inoperative, and operable to release said blocks on thedropping of the bomb, substantially set forth.

2. The combination with a drop bomb having a hammer provided with arecess therein, of a pair of stop blocks disposed endwise in saidrecess, and a spring tensioned bolt mounted on the hammer between saidblocks-and therewith normally holding the hammer inoperative,and'operable to release said blocks on the dropping of the bomb,substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a drop bomb having a hammer provided with aslotted portion, of a pair of stop blocks disposed endwise in saidslotted portion and seating against the bomb and hammer respectively, aspring tensioned bolt mounted on the harm mer between said blocks andtherewith normally holding the hammer inoperative and a device forlocking the bolt adapted to re lease the same on the dropping of thebomb, substantiallyv as set forth.

4. The combination with a drop bomb having a. hammer provided with arecess therein, of a pair of stop blocks disposed in said recess andhaving fulcrum hearings on said hammer and the bomb respectively, aspring tensioned bolt mounted on the ham mer and providing fulcrumbearings tor said blocks and therewith normally holding the hammerinoperative, and a device for locking the bolt adapted to release thesame 011 the dropping of the bomb, substan tially as set forth.

5. In a bomb, releasablefiring means. a collapsible toggle devicedisposed when in operative position in longitudinal alinement with thefiring means, and means operable for collapsing the-toggle device andreleasing the firing means.-

STUART THOMSON.

